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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack participated in the first of four regional workshops on drought recovery last week in Omaha, NE. More than 200 people gathered to discuss existing resources and introduced new efforts to assist those impacted by drought. Secretary Vilsack says Congress’ failure to pass a farm bill has the potential to “delay and stifle” the federal response. He notes, “USDA is doing all we can, but key programs traditionally made available in times of disaster are in limbo because Congress has allowed our authority to deliver them to expire. As I travel the country, it is clear to me that farmers and ranchers are aware of the gravity of the situation and the need for Congress to act." The remaining workshops will be held in Pueblo, C0 (Oct. 14), Pine Bluff, AR (Oct. 17) and Archbold, OH, during the week of October 22.